There are several top freshmen entering the SEC in 2012, and several will make an impact. The biggest ones I feel who will have an early impact include Keith Marshall at Georgia and Latroy Pittman at Florida. Marshall can step in immediately and play because Georgia has a need there, and obviously Florida has a huge need for wide receivers. Both are good enough to make an instant splash. [AL.com]

Arkansas Athletic Director Jeff Long is examining several things about the Bobby Petrino situation. As we all know, Petrino is placed on administrative leave right now. There are both moral and legal components that have to be weighed upon. First, Petrino lied about the whole situation, and there was an “improper relationship” going on with Jessica Dorrell during which he just hired her for a position. This could become a big legal issue. We’ll find out how much Bobby Petrino is liked and just how big of a business football is to the Razorbacks. [Arkansas Sports 360]

The Auburn quarterback battle between returning starter Clint Moseley and Kiehl Frazier is really heating up. Moseley has been out with a sore shoulder, but he has played well as of late. Frazier has been solid all spring, and he sure has a ton of upside. Offensive coordinator Scot Loeffler said Moseley’s injury hasn’t left him behind; however, Moseley thinks he has some catching up to do with Frazier. This is getting good. [AL.com]

Both Florida quarterbacks impressed in the spring game, and Jeff Driskel and Jacoby Brissett are pretty much dead even exiting spring. Driskel connected on 12 of 14 passes for 147 yards and rushed for 19 yards. Brissett connected on 9 of 16 passes for 233 yards and two touchdowns. Even though there is a battle going on for the position, Will Muschamp says he believes the Gators can win with either quarterback. This battle will continue on into the fall. [Gainesville Sun]

All those Georgia fans wanting to see freshman quarterback Keith Marshall in the spring game will have to wait until next fall. Marshall will be held out of the G-Day game because of a hamstring injury he suffered a week ago. He was one of the most highly touted running backs in the country coming out of high school, and I was hoping to watch this kid during the spring game as well. Along with Marshall, Richard Samuel and Shawn Williams will also be out of the G-Day game. [AJC]

LSU’s spring game showed the Tigers can still compete for an SEC Championship…and even a National Championship. New quarterback Zach Mettenberger will be an upgrade to both Jordan Jefferson and Jarrett Lee next year. Also, Mett will have competent receivers to throw the football to as well in Russell Shepard, Jarvis Landry, James Wright and Odell Beckham. Mett can make all the throws on the field, and he will have a fantastic running game to lean on. [NOLA]

Mississippi State quarterback Tyler Russell is the man next year. He’s always loved throwing the ball deep, but one thing he’s improved on is connecting on short, intermediate passes. Russell is particularly accurate and has a big arm, and the Bulldogs will very much lean on him throwing the football next year. Several players on State’s team say Russell is a legit candidate to have a future in the NFL. [Clarion Ledger]

Freshman stud receiver Nick Brassell at Ole Miss has spent more time in the classroom than on the football field this spring. Brassell showed last year he can make an instant splash at any point in the game with his dynamic playing ability; however, Hugh Freeze says it’s a ‘day-to-day thing’ whether or not he will be on the field or in the classroom. He has to step up his game academically or he won’t even be on the football field. Here’s to hoping he does, because I love watching this kid play. [Clarion Ledger]

South Carolina is looking at moving Jadeveon Clowney around in the fall. Usually Clowney plays defensive end, but the coaching staff is looking at moving him to defensive tackle some because he’s such a fearsome pass rusher. I’ll say this: Clowney is the best looking athlete I’ve seen in quite some time along the defensive line. He could play linebacker for the Gamecocks if they needed him to. [Post and Courier]

The maturity level is up for both Tyler Bray and Da’Rick Rogers at Tennessee. Last year, both Bray and Rogers were stat rats, meaning they were more about their stats than actually working on or winning a football game. Right now, Derek Dooley says both are maturing quite nicely and working on their games because their stats have not been all that great this spring. It’s nice to see these two finally maturing, because both are studs. [Times Free Press]

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COMMENTS

College football is a big business to every member of the SEC, not just Arkansas. If Long can find his way clear to keep Petrino, fine him, suspend him, whatever it takes to keep him, Petrino will stay. It’s Long’s decision, but a lot will hinge on how outraged the Board of Trustees and the Boosters are at Petrino. If they are so upset that they can’t stand to see him any longer, Petrino is gone. If they are in a forgiving mood, or just plain don’t care, he’ll stay. Do any of you really think if this had happened to Nick Saban or Les Miles that they would be fired?! I don’t think so. The Alabama and LSU Boosters want to win, and they don’t care what their coach does away from the game, as long as they aren’t committing a crime. Petrino has broken no laws…just exercied very bad judgment.